Ryan FowlerLegal & General Group Protection’s Wellbeing Advisory Board has launched a new approach to preventing burnout, emphasizing a partnership-based model between employers and employees. This initiative focuses on addressing workplace culture as a primary measure before implementing services, interventions, or insurances.
Dr. Tarun Gupta, chief medical officer at Legal & General UK Protection, highlighted the critical role of workplace culture, stating, “If workplace culture remains negative, then no burnout interventions or wellbeing strategy will be effective. So, addressing the negative culture first is paramount.”
The strategy involves a collaborative approach that encourages shared responsibility for wellbeing, aiming to transform the relationship between employers and employees into a mutual commitment to foster a positive workplace environment. The Wellbeing Advisory Board, comprising experts from various fields, believes this model will provide intermediaries with effective tools to aid clients in reducing and preventing burnout.
Supporting materials, including guides, checklists, and real-life examples, have been developed to assist employers in building environments that protect against burnout and help employees assess their risk and take personal responsibility for preventing burnout. These resources also address the self-employed, outlining burnout warning signs and managing dual roles as both employee and employer.
Vanessa Sallows, group protection claims & governance director at Legal & General Retail, emphasized the timeliness of this initiative, noting the rising mental health issues in the UK and their impact on sickness absence and economic activity, particularly among the younger generation. She stated, “It’s a privilege to be part of the Wellbeing Advisory Board and the wealth of combined, cross-industry experience and expertise we’ve harnessed to launch this important, new, shared responsibility approach to burnout prevention.”
Louise Aston, mental health and wellbeing campaign consultant and a board member, also commented on the partnership’s importance: “A true partnership between employers and employees creates a culture that prevents burnout by creating a safe and fulfilling environment that protects physical, emotional, psychological, economic, and social aspects….This partnership, with everyone having rights and responsibilities, is crucial for tackling negative behaviour.”
